Trailer Brake controller?

Trail Toys mirrors in factory housings from @SMKYTXN. They work great and are dead simple to install.

 

Did they forget or did you just not order/buy a truck with a tow package????

 

As in they forgot to install it and had to adjust my price afterwards. They threw in the hitch receiver for the inconvenience though

 

Installed mine today. Didn't like the look of it in the cubby hole, and I like to keep my garage door opener there anyway.

 

I'm too long legged for that spot...and old...and not as flexible as I used to be. I'd bang it there with my right leg getting in every time...then smack it with my left leg just to even out the pain. But it does look good there.

Mine ended up in the cubby and I'm happy with it...garage door opener goes on the sunshade.

 

I'm old and not so flexible myself - but my legs are short so it appears I won't have a problem lol.

 

Here's a previous post
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-controller-installation.408651/#post-11495576

 

Voyager install.
Same as the way I had it in my '02.
Cubby in the '16 used for biz cards, coffee cards, etc.

 

Why don't you just use the homelink mirror for your garage door opener, then you never need to bring it with you or you can toss it in the dash. Wait to the tacomas in the US come with that type of mirror?

 

Why not? The Tacoma comes with the brake controller connector, and can tow up to 6,500#, and trailer brakes are recommended for towing above 2,000#, and required for towing above 3,000# (at least here).

 

Wow, dude, the was 9 months ago.

 

I guess some battles just need to be fought.

 

Hello. Just got my Tacoma this past weekend. Give me 30-60 days and I'll be designing a cubby-hole replacement that will cleanly mount a specific (TBD) brake controller. This will be a 3D printed part, and I can make more if there is interest and if it comes out as expected. The controller must have all touch parts on the face with the intent of a near-flush mount. Considering this controller - but if you know a better one let me know. Thanks.

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Hayes/HA81790.html

 

Don't know what you budget or timing is but I use these and with the Australian dollar falling you get a fair discount.

https://www.redarc.com.au/tow-pro-elite-electric-brake-controller

 

I am definitely interested in a built in brake controller rather than something shoved in the cubby. No offense to anyone that has done it but I didn't spend $40k to have something awkwardly sticking out of that hole. So I would like to see what you come up with on this.

 

Good luck with that. Most built in controllers, my friend has a 2015 F-150 doesn't have a manual arm to enable trailer brakes without truck brakes (if trailer ever comes around like a baseball bat, you'll understand.) Watched some poor devil have that happen in Northern Appalations near Quebec going down one very steep hill). OUCH! My Tekonsha has a little lever that is on bottom that allows me to apply trailer brakes, thank you for sticking out so I can use it. Just came back from pulling my new (used) trailer 450 miles without incident, thank you, Lord.

 

Ordered the brake controller, which should arrive in a couple days. Now it's time to design an in-dash mount as previously stated. I plan on mounting it at the 55446-04030-C0 Switch Panel where the cubby hole is. It will required dremelling out a hole slightly bigger than the cubby due to the size of the brake controller. The finished install should show no signs of this step. I tried pulling on this panel, but it apparently doesn't just pop out. Anyone removed this yet? Care to share how? Thanks.

 

Pull the door sill transition strip.
Pull the triangle piece to the left of all the pedals.
Remove 3x screws on the kneeboard.
Remove the kneeboard.
Cubby is screwed in from the back.

 

For those of you that are concerned with sway on these trucks, it would be worth looking into one of these. I haven't used one yet but have heard good things. I'm use to pulling a 40' gooseneck enclosed holding two cars with a dually but now I'll be pulling a small open float carrying one car with the Taco. I'll be putting one of these on my trailer.

http://mrtruck.com/tuson-trailer-sway-control.htm

Anyone here have experience with one?

 

Tacomas have sway control built in (brake manipulation). I prefer to also use a mechanical sway control for anything over 2,000 lbs, such as this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Pro-Series/83660.html

Some weight distribution systems (what I use) have these built in, such as this;

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Weight_Distribution-sf-WD_With_Sway_Control-co-600_lbs.aspx

Makes those longer highway trips much less eventful